WASHINGTON—The White House met with Republican senators Thursday as part of a quiet campaign aimed at assessing the lay of the land for the fiscal battles on the horizon.

Democrats are focusing on finding a long-term resolution to funding the government past the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 and replacing unpopular across-the-board cuts, known as the sequester, with a more targeted package for deficit reduction.

Republicans are focusing on a mid-October battle to seek concessions from the administration on a range of fiscal issues in exchange for raising the $16.7 trillion debt limit, the nation's borrowing authority.

The battles hold sweeping consequences for the U.S. if they fail to reach an agreement. The sequester cuts -- broadly viewed as bad policy -- will continue unabated. The federal government faces a shutdown if there is no deal after Sept. 30. The U.S. could begin defaulting on its debts, rattling financial markets and undermining the full faith and credit of the U.S. dollar.

Despite the risks and impending deadlines, August has been a quiet month. Thursday's White House meeting was the first of its kind since Congress adjourned for the summer break.

Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the speaker and President Obama have not had any recent talks about the fiscal fights ahead, and there are no meetings yet scheduled. Congress returns Sept. 9.

White House chief of staff Denis McDonough conferred Thursday with a group of senators that includes at least Sens. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John McCain of Arizona.

The White House views these lawmakers as the most likely allies in the administration's quest to replace the sequester with targeted spending cuts in part because they share concerns about what the cuts are doing to national defense.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the meeting, and congressional aides who confirmed it was taking place declined to be identified because the group pledged to keep their discussions private.

A senior Senate Democratic aide said the White House talks are focused on how to mitigate the sequester cuts in the context of the upcoming debate over funding the government.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told the rank-and-file last week that he wants to pass a funding bill to keep the government running until Dec. 15 in order to deflect any blame on House Republicans for threatening a shutdown fight. Boehner wants to focus instead on the debt ceiling.

However, Republicans face divisions within the party over the way forward. At least 80 House Republicans have signed a letter saying they will not vote for any funding bill unless it de-funds the president's health care law. Unless they can find consensus, GOP leaders will need to rely on Democrats for approval.

Democrats are also going to continue to seek additional revenues in any fiscal deals, despite unanimous opposition from the GOP on any new taxes. Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Democrats want a "fair budget deal" that "calls on the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share."

In comments reported by The Idaho Statesman, Boehner told attendees at a GOP fundraiser to expect a "whale of a fight" over it, and said Republicans will continue to demand an equal or greater amount of spending cuts and changes commensurate with the raise in the debt ceiling.

GOP efforts are focused on reducing mandatory spending for entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare, dismantling the president's health care law and changing the tax code.

The White House has dismissed Boehner's effort, contending the president will not negotiate over raising the debt ceiling. Democrats believe Republicans have little leverage in the fight because Boehner and other leading Republicans, including House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., have pledged the nation will not default.

"Let me reiterate what our position is, and it is unequivocal," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday. "We will not negotiate with Republicans in Congress over Congress' responsibility to pay the bills that Congress has racked up, period."

Raising the debt limit does not authorize new spending, rather it pays for spending that Congress has already approved.